Flight 1 - ‘The Greatest show on Earth’ or the biggest circus in town. A chance to watch the greatest players on the planet at their best or just window shopping the clubs next superstar. Possibly you think its just a minefield of injuries for the current players to find a way through. Whatever you think the World Cup is coming. Not a day will go by in the next seven months without it being dragged into every conversation and commentary. Which of our lads will make the trip and how will they do?

At least on the bright side it might mean the commentators wont start talking about Bale in the first two minutes of every game, (but don’t panic they will still make sure to mention him a dozen times every game). The World Cup, a festival of football that is the envy of every other sport. With FIFA having more members than the United Nations. What if the stadiums are not ready, the civil infrastructure is chaos and FIFA were still fiddling with the rules up to the last moment. In “Flying Down to Rio” we will look at the many links between the “Greatest club on earth” and the competition and how they have affected each other. Some of the more zany chapters in the trophies history and the past, present and even possibly future Tottenham players.

What do India Spurs members think of the World Cup? is it the pinnacle of the footballing calendar? You will end up watching but will you be cheering? Who for? Do leave a comment and let the rest of us know what you think, it will help as we rush headlong towards Copacabana. On Flight 1 a quick look at the draw and which of our lads you think we might be watching come June. Who do you think will be involved ? The first Tottenham boys in action will be the home team. At this time Paulinho looks a certain for the squad. Sandro, our midfield beast, that goal scoring, guitar playing, dart throwing, bus driving…this is starting too sound like a Pepsi advert, will be looking to get back into the reckoning and with his performances too date this season he will be feeling confident.

Sandro's seems keen to prove to the Brazilian manager just how versatile he is.

I'm not so convinced about Gomes who the said this week he wanted to get back into the national team. I discussed him previously (1) and cant help thinking he has left it a little late to force his way back but who knows at this stage with the right transfer. In the same group we have Cameroon. Even if Benoit Ekotto makes the trip I'm not tipping them to progress alongside the hosts.

After that there must be a dozen or more Spurs lads asking AVB for Portuguese lessons in the hope they will be spending the summer in Brazil. Group B could see us cheering Roberto Soldado, but he will need to improve his goal tally on the scraps of service he has been fed so far. Some poor finishing in the last couple of games suggests his confidence is in need of a boost but don’t write him off too soon. Expect the Spanish to go through.

Group E brings us to the French. Lloris is a certainty to be named. Capoue and Kaboul will both be hoping for a good run of games and form to impress if they are to book a ticket. No surprises here and Hugo and co to progress. While Group F has Brazil’s neighbours and biggest rivals Argentina. They will be delighted with their draw. Erik Lemelda needs to get to grips with the English style of play. I wonder if sometimes he is trying to impress rather than play his natural game ? What do you think? Anyway a player who could be a big hit in the tournament if he makes the cut.Group H brings us to Lewis Holtby. I’ve been impressed this season and hopefully he will make the it into a strong German team. His goal at Fulham was excellent. Shame the commentator had to spoil it by his first words being about Bale! Actually it was very Holtby like if you watched him play in Germany and it was very like the cracker he got for the Under 21 side at West Ham earlier this season just a few yards further to the right.I wouldn’t be surprised to see him make the trip.

Not too long ago asked to name a famous Belgian and people stumbled after Hercule Poiroit. This however is the golden age of Belgium football and don’t be surprised if our three lads, Vertonghen, Chadli and Dembele turn out to be the dark horses in this years competition. That just leaves the English lads. If the team was picked today I would expect Walker, Defoe and Townsend to be named.

Jan, On his way to his Portuguese lessons

I cant see any reason why the manager came out with his comments about no surprises in his squad. How to stop players being motivated with one dumb comment. Players like Dawson and Lennon will be looking for a stunning run of games and form to force their way into his thinking. I think England will go through but will need a winning start.So who do you think will or wont go ? Any thoughts on early favorites for the whole event? If I had to put my ten rupees down I’d be really boring and not look further than the home team with their history and the fans passion.

The in-flight entertainment on Flight 2 departing as soon when there’s a break in the weather, sorry fixtures. The flight is heading for 1950 (did I mention the flight has Tardis like qualities?) and the first time Spurs were involved in the competition. Have your Boarding cards ready please. Oh and yes I do know the club are also using ‘Flying Down to Rio‘. Well I planned it first and it means I can burst into song at regular intervals.All together now “Were flying down to Rio, Ri, O Rio, were flying……”

Absolutely looking forward to the World Cup .. World Cup/Euro years are great because that means a chance to watch Spurs players in action in the summer.

Been following Germany ever since I saw Klinsmann play (94 World cup), and also had an eye on Portugal's performance (Figo, who's one of my all time favourites). Now that Figo has retired, it's going to be Germany. And will definitely watch the teams with Spurs players.

Dreaming of the day India qualifies for the World Cup. We will get to see the youth players in 2017 in the U17 WC though. Big moment for a country obsessed with cricket.

Reply

keith

9/12/2013 08:58:20 am

Make sure you dont miss the next Flying Down to Rio, you be surprised !

I think Brazil will top their group, and the second spot will be a 3 way fight. And they are my favourites to win too.

Belgium are my dark horses for the tournament but they are in a tricky group and they will have to fight it out with Russia and South Korea.

England's group looks to be the toughest. Defoe, and Walker will definitely be in the squad. Expecting one of Townsend or Lennon to be included as well.

Will Holtby be selected in the Germany squad? He's put in great performances at the U21 level, and is doing great for us. But if you follow the Bundesliga, you find that Löw has the same headaches as AVB. Too many good players for a position.

Lastly, Lamela. Spot on about the comment that he's finding his feet. I read somewhere that he took around 6 months to settle in at AS Roma.
I think AVB is doing the right thing easing him into the squad. No point rushing him and making him lose his confidence *if* he fails.
He needs time and all the support he can get from his team. He's just 21, doesn't speak/understand English well, plus the playing style in the Premier League is different from that of Serie A. I think he'll be included in the Argentina squad.

All I expect is no major injuries to our players, and a World Cup winner at White Hart Lane - probably the super talented (and on his way towards legend status) Sandro.

What's a World Cup without a few upsets .. expect the 'unglamourous' teams like Algeria, Costa Rica etc to cause an upset.

Lastly, the mention of a certain Mr Gareth Bale every ten minutes. I think the Bale hangover is going to continue (in the media at least)
until someone really steps up -- and steps up big time, to make an impact like Bale did.

Second thoughts, I don't want ONE player to make a huge impact. I want it to be a team effort. That Bale FC or One man team jibes still hurt.

It bothers me when I hear anyone mention Bale whenever Spurs play. Yeah, I may sound like a bitter *** when I say this.. but I'm not. Really :p

He's an awesome player, had a great season for us and had pulled us out of hopeless situations. And I wish him all the best at Real.

But he's not a Spurs player anymore. So I wish people keep
the Bale comparisions to the minimum.

Wooo. Looks like I wrote an article in the comments section.

Thanks for the World Cup series, Keith. And looking forward to Flight #2 and it's TARDIS like qualities.

And if anyone is still reading the comments - wow! Thanks for reading :)

Reply

keith

9/12/2013 09:03:51 am

Janhavi, re Bale, I agree, great but gone ! we have had great players before and we survived. I think one of the problems is the commentators / press are just too lazy. Oh and looking forward to your next article.